Joshuas Tomb

Joshua's Tomb Lieut. Conder gives the local traditions on the subject as follows (Tent Work, 1:78):

"The 'Holy King Joshua' is said by the Samaritans to have been buried at Kefr Haris, which they identify with Timuath Heres. This village is nine miles south of Nablus.

"The Jewish pilgrim, rabbi Jacob of Paris, visited Caphar Cheres- presumably Kefr Haris-in A.D. 1258, and mentions the tombs of Joshua, Nult, and Caleb. The Samaritans also hold that Caleb was buried with Joshua, and thus we have the curious result that Jews and Samaritans agree as to the site of these tombs, both placing them within the bounds of Samaria. The crusading writers point to the same site for Joshua's tomb, and the place is marked on the map of Marino Sanuto (A.D. 1322) in the irelative position of Kefr Hlris.

"The modern village has three sacred places: one of Neby Nun, the second Neby Ltsh'a, the third Neby Kifi. In the first two we recognize Nun and Joshua; Neby Kifl was a historic character, but his shrine possibly occupies the place of the mediaeval tomb of Caleb.

"The site of Joshua's tomb seems therefore to be preserved by an indigenous tradition. at least as authentic as that of Joseph's tomb. It has been supposed that Jerome indicates a different site, but a careful reading of his account of St. Paula's journey seems to show that he also refers to the tombs at Kefr Haris." For another traditional site of Joshua's tomb SEE TIMNATH-HERES.